The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, disclosed this on Wednesday at the PTF press conference in Abuja, where the ministry of health warned that Nigeria’s health system could not cope with increasing COVID-19 cases.
But Mustapha said the three shortlisted Nigerian drugs would be subjected to further investigations by relevant health agencies.
21 states have fewer than 100 beds each
At the press briefing, the minister of state for health said that 21 states had fewer than 100 bed spaces each for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
He added that only five states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, had at least the prescribed 300 beds. And in Lagos things are looking tough.
Nigeria has 112 treatment, isolation centres
The minister also stated the country had 112 treatment and isolation centres in the 36 states and the FCT with a total of 5,324 beds.
Increasing cases could exceed govt’s capacity to cope – Health minister
The minister said, “Though not surprising, we are concerned about the increasing number of confirmed cases. This is because very high cases could seriously exceed the capacity of our health system to cope. Routine cases may also suffer as a result. Therefore, non-pharmaceutical preventive approach is still our best strategy.
“At present, we have a total of 112 treatment and isolation centres in all the 36 states and the FCT with 5,324 beds. While only five states including the FCT have at least 300 beds as prescribed for isolation and treatment, 21 states have less than 100 bed spaces.
The government has therefore called on philanthropists to assist by setting up treatment centres.
